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Wildflowers - Milkweed Seeds

The Milkweed family is known as Asclepias to botanists. These species have become very popular over the past few years because of their unique trait of being a food source for Monarch Butterflies. Wherever Milkweeds are growing in our fields, somehow the Monarchs find them, and there is hardly a time when the butterflies are not fluttering around them. There is a good bit of variability within this genus, so there will surely be something that will work for your location, whether it is sand or swamp, or something in between. We carry everything from Common Milkweed seeds to Purple Milkweed. The Purple Milkweed is probably the rarest form of Milkweed seed that we have for sale, and the bulk stock that we get from time to time is quickly sold out.

In 1753, eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus gave the Blood Flower milkweed its Latin genus name, "Asclepias." Asclepias, the name of the legendary Greek deity of medicine and healing, is especially appropriate since this plant formerly had numerous medicinal uses. At one time, the silk from the seed pods was spun for fabric or used for stuffing pillows; in World War II, school children gathered the silk to provide a cheap filling for soldiers' life jackets. Commercial attempts to make use of this abundant plant included the manufacture of paper, fabric, lubricant, fuel, and rubber; eventually these became impractical and were abandoned. In the wild, the Blood Flower milkweed attracts flocks of butterflies and their larvae; butterflies are immune to the plant's poison, and actually become rather poisonous themselves as protection from predators.

Butterfly Weed, one of the most striking of native plants, lights up the prairies with its blazing orange flowers. It thrives in rocky or sandy soil, typically in open fields or along roadsides. One of its common names, pleurisy root, refers to an old remedy for lung ailments that contained this plant. At one time, the silk from this plant's seed pods was spun for fabric or used for stuffing pillows; in World War II, school children gathered the silk to provide a cheap filling for soldiers' life jackets. Commercial attempts to make use of this abundant plant included the manufacture of paper, fabric, lubricant, fuel, and rubber; eventually these became impractical and were abandoned. Though this plant is toxic to most animals, butterflies are immune to the plant's poison and actually become rather poisonous themselves as protection from predators.

In 1753, eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus gave Blood Flower its Latin genus name, "Asclepias." Asclepias, the name of the legendary Greek representation of medicine and healing, is especially appropriate since this plant formerly had numerous medicinal uses. At one time, the silk from the seed pods was spun for fabric or used for stuffing pillows; in World War II, school children gathered the silk to provide a cheap filling for soldiers' life jackets. Commercial attempts to make use of this abundant plant included the manufacture of paper, fabric, lubricant, fuel, and rubber; eventually these became impractical and were abandoned. Milkweed attracts flocks of butterflies and their larvae; butterflies are immune to the plant's poison, and actually become rather poisonous themselves as protection from predators.

The elegant, tall stalks and drooping flowers of poke milkweed can be found in woodland areas across the eastern portion of the United States and Canada. In 1753, eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus gave this native wildflower its Latin genus name, "Asclepias." Asclepias, the name of the legendary Greek representation of medicine and healing, is especially appropriate since this plant formerly had numerous medicinal uses. At one time, the silk from the seed pods was spun for fabric or used for stuffing pillows; in World War II, school children gathered the silk to provide a cheap filling for soldiers' life jackets. Commercial attempts to make use of this abundant plant included the manufacture of paper, fabric, lubricant, fuel, and rubber; eventually these became impractical and were abandoned. In the wild, the flowers attract flocks of butterflies and their larvae; butterflies are immune to the plant's poison, and actually become rather poisonous themselves as protection from predators.

The elegant, tall stalks and drooping flowers of poke milkweed can be found in woodland areas across the eastern portion of the United States and Canada. In 1753, eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus gave this native wildflower its Latin genus name, "Asclepias." Asclepias, the name of the legendary Greek representation of medicine and healing, is especially appropriate since this plant formerly had numerous medicinal uses. At one time, the silk from the seed pods was spun for fabric or used for stuffing pillows; in World War II, school children gathered the silk to provide a cheap filling for soldiers' life jackets. Commercial attempts to make use of this abundant plant included the manufacture of paper, fabric, lubricant, fuel, and rubber; eventually these became impractical and were abandoned. In the wild, the flowers attract flocks of butterflies and their larvae; butterflies are immune to the plant's poison, and actually become rather poisonous themselves as protection from predators.

This native wildflower, though it has become rare in some areas, thrives in midwestern American prairies; it typically grows in moist areas, meadows, or thickets. This species name, "sullivantii," honors noted 19th century American botanist William Starling Sullivant. At one time, the silk from this plant's seed pods was spun for fabric or used for stuffing pillows; in World War II, school children gathered the silk to provide a cheap filling for soldiers' life jackets. Commercial attempts to make use of this abundant plant included the manufacture of paper, fabric, lubricant, fuel, and rubber; eventually these became impractical and were abandoned. Though this plant is toxic to most animals, butterflies are immune to the plant's poison and actually become rather poisonous themselves as protection from predators.

This native wildflower, though it has become rare in some areas, thrives in midwestern American prairies; it typically grows in moist areas, meadows, or thickets. This species name, "sullivantii," honors noted 19th century American botanist William Starling Sullivant. At one time, the silk from this plant's seed pods was spun for fabric or used for stuffing pillows; in World War II, school children gathered the silk to provide a cheap filling for soldiers' life jackets. Commercial attempts to make use of this abundant plant included the manufacture of paper, fabric, lubricant, fuel, and rubber; eventually these became impractical and were abandoned. Though this plant is toxic to most animals, butterflies are immune to the plant's poison and actually become rather poisonous themselves as protection from predators.

Purple milkweed can be found in woodland areas and prairies, or near streams or marshy areas. At one time, the silk from this plant's seed pods was spun for fabric or used for stuffing pillows; in World War II, school children gathered the silk to provide a cheap filling for soldiers' life jackets. Commercial attempts to make use of this abundant plant included the manufacture of paper, fabric, lubricant, fuel, and rubber; eventually these became impractical and were abandoned. Though this plant is toxic to most animals, butterflies are immune to the plant's poison and actually become rather poisonous themselves as protection from predators.

Purple milkweed can be found in woodland areas and prairies, or near streams or marshy areas. At one time, the silk from this plant's seed pods was spun for fabric or used for stuffing pillows; in World War II, school children gathered the silk to provide a cheap filling for soldiers' life jackets. Commercial attempts to make use of this abundant plant included the manufacture of paper, fabric, lubricant, fuel, and rubber; eventually these became impractical and were abandoned. Though this plant is toxic to most animals, butterflies are immune to the plant's poison and actually become rather poisonous themselves as protection from predators.

A popular native wildflower in western North America, Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) commonly occurs on rocky slopes, woodland areas, or along roads or streams. John Torrey, a Columbia University botanist, recorded this species for science in 1820 from a specimen found near the Canadian River. At one time, the silk from this plant's seed pods was spun for fabric or used for stuffing pillows; in World War II, school children gathered the silk to provide a cheap filling for soldiers' life jackets. Commercial attempts to make use of Asclepias speciosa included the manufacture of paper, fabric, lubricant, fuel, and rubber; eventually these became impractical and were abandoned. Though this plant is toxic to most animals, butterflies are immune to the plant's poison and actually become rather poisonous themselves as protection from predators.

IN-STOCK ORDERS OF MILKWEED SEEDS FOR SALE SHIP THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY VIA THE US POST OFFICE.

As the name indicates, these swamp milkweed seeds for sale thrive in swamps and low meadows or along streams. The bright pink flowers attract swarms of bees and butterflies, and have a sweet scent described as similar to vanilla or cinnamon. At one time, the silk from swamp milkweed seed pods was spun for fabric or used for stuffing pillows; in World War II, school children gathered the silk to provide a cheap filling for soldiers' life jackets. Commercial attempts to make use of this abundant plant included the manufacture of paper, fabric, lubricant, fuel, and rubber; eventually these became impractical and were abandoned. Though this plant is toxic to most animals, butterflies are immune to the plant's poison and actually become rather poisonous themselves as protection from predators.

Whorled Milkweed has established itself across most of the United States as one of the most common varieties of milkweed. Its foliage is valuable to butterfly larvae, especially monarchs, since it blooms late in the season. Dry fields, rocky slopes, meadows, and prairies all provide a good home for this delicate looking but hardy plant. Its Latin name, "verticillata," means "whorled" and comes from the arrangement of its grass-like leaves around its stem. In 1753, eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus gave this plant its Latin genus name, "Asclepias." Asclepias, the name of the legendary Greek representation of medicine and healing, is especially appropriate since this plant formerly had various medicinal uses. In spite of its highly toxic nature, Whorled Milkweed attracts flocks of butterflies; butterflies are immune to the plant's poison, and actually become rather poisonous themselves as protection from predators.

Starting at $2.50 USD

The Milkweed family is known as Asclepias to botanists. These species have become very popular over the past few years because of their unique trait of being a food source for Monarch Butterflies. Wherever Milkweeds are growing in our fields, somehow the Monarchs find them, and there is hardly a time when the butterflies are not fluttering around them. There is a good bit of variability within this genus, so there will surely be something that will work for your location, whether it is sand or swamp, or something in between. We carry everything from Common Milkweed seeds to Purple Milkweed. The Purple Milkweed is probably the rarest form of Milkweed seed that we have for sale, and the bulk stock that we get from time to time is quickly sold out.